Sparrowflyaway: Chapter 12! Hooray! We're getting close!
Usagi: Is Mamoru gonna be OK?
Sparrowflyaway: Just wait and see, Usagi-chan.
Usagi: Oh, alright.
Sparrowflyaway: Who wants to do the disclaimer today?
Melina: Me! Can I do it?
Sparrowflyaway: Sure. Go ahead.
Melina: Yay! OK, Sparrowflyaway doesn't own Sailor Moon.
Sparrowflyaway: But I do own you, Mel-chan.
Melina: Do not!
Sparrowflyaway: I do, actually. But anyway, let's get on with the story, shall we?
Melina: You do not own me!
Sparrowflyaway: *sigh*
"Hi Hannah!" Melina said, jumping onto the bus. Hannah glanced at her, then turned away in silence. "Hannah? Is something wrong?"
"Oh no, nothing, nothing at all. My best friend didn't turn up at my birthday party, that's all," Hannah said frostily. Melina stared at her, remembering the invitation to the party.
"I'm sorry, Hannah, but it really wasn't my fault that I couldn't be there," Melina said.
"Oh yeah? Then whose fault was it?" Hannah asked.
"Well... It wasn't really anyone's fault," Melina said quietly. Hannah glared at Melina, then grabbed her bag and moved up to the back of the bus. Melina heaved a sigh as she sat down and looked out the window, not very surprised to find Sunshine running after the bus. I'm sorry I couldn't be there, Hannah, but it's not my fault that I was unconscious at the time, Melina thought sadly. If it's anyone's fault, it's the Negaverse's. There's no way that I can tell Hannah that, though... Melina sighed and wiped away a tear that was sliding down her cheek, wishing for the bus to hurry up and get them to school.
"Alright, settle down, class, I know you probably all had a very exciting weekend, but it's time to take out your books," Miss Kaiou called over the chatter in the classroom. "Now I think that I should warn you that we're going to be having a fire drill today, so don't e alarmed if the fire alarm goes off. Just follow my instructions and we'll get it done as quickly as possible." That'll be a break from the usual boring classes, Melina thought. She sighed and slumped into her seat, glancing across at Hannah, who determinedly ignored her. Outside the window, Sunshine noticed the redhead's frigid behaviour, and sensed that it was directed at Melina. She sighed thoughtfully as her eyes drifted to Melina's blonde boyfriend. Prince Rasmus... I wonder if he remembers the Silver Millennium, Sunshine thought. Just then, a tingle of negative energy ran down her spine, and she glanced around to see a large blue pig sitting on top of a table. I need a way to alert the Senshi without endangering the rest of the school, Sunshine thought frantically. A smile crept across her face as she spotted a large red button on the wall. Perfect, Sunshine thought. The fire alarm. A flash of gold from her sun shape shattered the glass covering the button, then Sunshine backed up and took a running leap, pressing the button as hard as she could. Instantly, a loud, high-pitched wailing filled the air, and Sunshine ran back to the window of Melina's classroom, where the teacher was hurrying the students out of the classroom.
"Someone close those windows, please!" Miss Kaiou said. Melina and Hannah both hurried out of the line and began shutting the windows. Melina happened to glance out of a window and spot Sunshine looking pointedly up at her. She nodded slightly as she shut the last window, then hurried to join the line again, noticing that Hannah deliberately pushed through the line to avoid her. When the class got outside, they joined the other students walking out to the basketball court. Melina glanced around and spotted Sunshine peeking out of some bushes, so she slowed down until she was at the back of the line, then quickly ran around a corner of the school building and out of sight, not noticing that Hannah and David had both noticed her escape and were looking for an opportunity to follow...
"What's up, Sunshine?" Melina whispered. Sunshine shook her head and led Melina behind a large bush before speaking.
"There's a youma," Sunshine said quietly.
"Again? The Negaverse really have a knack for picking bad times to spring attacks on us. Just when we have the fire drill and we're supposed to stick together," Melina grumbled.
"Actually, I set that alarm off to get everyone safely away from the youma," Sunshine said.
"Really? That was clever. And no-one will get into trouble for it either, there'll just be a bit of confusing as to who started the fire drill," Melina said, taking out her communicator. "I hope that the others don't get into trouble for having to leave the basketball courts before they're dismissed and can go back to class." Just then, the recess bell sounded, and the noise from the basketball courts increased as the students headed back to class. Smiling, Melina pressed the pink, red, green, blue, orange and silver buttons on her communicator. "Guys, Sunshine just informed me that there's a youma on school grounds," Melina said to the images of her six friends, who nodded and vanished, one by one, from the display. Shoving her communicator back into her pocket, Melina stood.
"Sun Prism Power!" The globe of golden light lit up the small gap between the bushes and the wall, before Sailor Sun stepped out of it looking determined.
"Let's go!" she said, before she and Sunshine ran out into the open and jumped onto the roof. Behind them, still hidden in the bushes, was Hannah, her mouth wide open in shock at having seen Melina transform. Snapping back to reality, Hannah jumped out of the bushes and hurried to find a way around to her friend.
"What's it doing?" Sailor Sun asked, watching the pig youma carefully.
"I don't think it's doing anything at the moment," Sunshine said.
"Well, I can change that. I'll make it die," Sailor Sun said, conjuring her flute and jumping down into the courtyard. The youma turned and sniffed curiously at her, then turned its back on her and lay down.
"Don't you ignore me, buster! Sun Golden Blast!" Sailor Sun yelled, pointing her flute at the youma, which rolled quickly out of the way and then lay still again.
"Mind if I join in?" a familiar voice asked. Sailor Sun turned to find Sailor Orion standing behind her smiling.
"What a way to start my first day of school, huh?" she smiled, walking over and smiling up at Sailor Sun.
"Shall we get it?" Sailor Sun asked.
"Let's get it," Orion agreed. The two girls turned to face the pig-youma.
"Sun Golden Blast!"
"Orion Silver Cyclone!" The youma managed to evade the golden sun shape, but became trapped inside the cyclone. Just then, the other five Senshi arrived.
"Need a hand there, guys?" Mars asked, grinning. Sailor Sun nodded.
"Let's finish this thing together, guys!" Sailor Moon said, pulling out her Crescent Moon Wand, the Silver Crystal glittering in the sunlight. The other scouts nodded and formed a semicircle facing the youma, which was writhing inside the cyclone that trapped it.
"Mercury Bubbles Blast!"
"Mars Fire Ignite!"
"Supreme Thunder!
"Venus Crescent Beam Smash!"
"Sun Golden Blast!"
"Orion Silver Cyclone!"
"COSMIC MOON POWER!!!" The seven attacks merged into a glowing whirl of colourful energy, which merged with the cyclone and destroyed the trapped youma almost effortlessly.
"What a waste. That youma wasn't even worth sending," said a voice behind them. The Senshi turned to find Kunzite glaring down at them.
"What do you want, Kunzite?" Sailor Moon asked shortly. Kunzite glared at them and held out his hand.
"I want that Silver Crystal," Kunzite said.
"Yeah right, like we're ever going to give it to you, Nega-freak. Get lost before we toast you like an English muffin," Sailor Sun spat.
"You have a lot of bravery, little Senshi, but I'm afraid that's all you have," Kunzite said snidely.
"Oh really? And what do you think of this then? Sun Golden Blast!" Sailor Sun shouted, pointing her flute at Kunzite and shooting a golden sun shape at him. The attack zoomed through the air and hit him square in the chest, making him stagger backwards.
"Impressive, but you'll need more than that to defeat me!" Kunzite taunted.
"You want more? You got it! Cosmic Moon-" Sailor Moon shouted, before Sailor Sun cut her off.
"Let me handle him!" Sailor Sun shouted, anger blazing in her eyes. Sailor Moon stared in shock at her friend, then nodded and stepped back.
"So, it's to be just the two of us, is it, little Senshi? First I'll take you down as an example to your friends, and then if the Princess still refuses to give me the Crystal, then I'll take the rest of you down one by one until she does," Kunzite sneered.
"Oh, I don't think so! You're not threatening my friends and getting away with it, buster!" Sailor Sun yelled, raising her arms. "Sun Golden Stream!" The other Senshi watched, amazed, as a cloud of golden sun shapes began shooting out of Sailor Sun's hand and pelting Kunzite, who toppled backwards, yelling.
"You're not worth sending either, Kunzite," said a familiar voice. The Senshi turned to find Tuxedo Mask standing on another section of roof, glaring at the Negaverse General.
"Tuxedo Mask! You're alright!" Sailor Moon cried joyfully. Sunshine stared at Tuxedo Mask, sensing waves of negative energy flowing through him.
"Be careful, Sailor Moon, he's not what he seems!" Sunshine warned. Tuxedo Mask turned away from Kunzite and stared down at the Senshi, who could see that his eyes were blank.
"What's happened to him?" Sailor Moon asked quietly.
"Ha! Silly girls, you haven't figured it out yet? Tuxedo Mask is one of us now!" Kunzite sneered, clambering to his feet.
"I am not "one of you". I serve Queen Beryl, yes, but I am not an imbecile like you, Kunzite," Tuxedo Mask snapped. Sailor Moon gasped and sank to her knees when she heard that. Sailor Orion put her hand on Sailor Moon's shoulder as the Moon Princess' eyes filled with tears.
"No... No, it can't be true! Mamoru!" Sailor Moon wailed.
"You're wasting your breath, Princess, he's beyond anyone's help now. He has been turned to Queen Beryl's side, and there's nothing you can do to change that," Kunzite sneered, before laughing at Sailor Moon's despair. Then, still laughing, he vanished. Tuxedo Mask looked at the Senshi for a moment before disappearing too. Sailor Moon got slowly to her feet, staring blankly at the spot where Tuxedo Mask had been.
"Oh... What'll we do, guys? We have to save Mamoru, but I don't want to fight him..." Sailor Moon gasped as more tears flowed down her cheeks.
"If we want to get him back, then we may have to fight him," Mars said grimly, putting her arm around Sailor Moon's shoulders and guiding her to a seat. The other Senshi followed and sat down too, all of them silently thinking about what had just occurred.
"Mamoru... why did this have to happen, girls? He's gone... and he'll never call me Odango Atama again... I never thought I'd miss that, but... oh..." Sailor Moon gasped through her tears as she detransformed. The other Senshi glanced around and then detransformed as well. The seven girls sat silently for a few minutes, then Melina got angrily to her feet.
"I've had enough. If they want to fight us, then they'll be getting more than they bargained for," Melina said fiercely.
"Wh-what do you mean, Mel-chan?" Usagi asked.
"I say we take the fight to them and defeat them once and for all. Who's with me?" she asked, turning to face her friends with a determined look on her face.
"You bet! Let's do it!" Sora said, jumping to her feet. The other Senshi stared at Melina and Sora for a moment, then, one by one, they all nodded.
"OK, so I reckon we should go today, as soon as school's finished. We can give our parents a quick call and say we're gonna be home late, and then we go and kick some Nega-butt!" Melina said.
"Hold on, I think we should wait until tomorrow. We'll need to be prepared for whatever the Negaverse decides to throw at us," Ami said.
"Ami-chan, I think we're about as ready as we'll ever be. I agree with Mel-chan. Let's go this afternoon," Minako said.
"Same here!" Sora said.
"Ami-chan has a point though, guys. We need to be prepared," Makoto said.
"Not to mention that the extra night's sleep could make all the difference in battle," Rei said.
"Looks like it's three on three. What do you think, Usagi-chan?" Sunshine asked. Usagi didn't reply, instead putting her hand into her pocket and gripping something tightly.
"Um... Melina? Can I talk to you for a second?" a timid voice asked. Melina turned to find Hannah standing at the edge of the courtyard.
"I'll talk to you guys at lunch, OK? Let's meet here then," Melina said.
"I won't be able to, but just keep me up to date, that'll be fine," Rei said, before leaving. Melina smiled reassuringly at Usagi, then followed Hannah away to a quiet corner.
"You never told me you were a Senshi!" Hannah said.
"How'd you find out?" Melina asked.
"I saw you transform earlier. But that's beside the point. How long have you been a Senshi for?" Hannah asked.
"I didn't actually become a Senshi until Saturday," Melina said.
"Oh... was that why you weren't at my party, then?" Hannah asked.
"Sort of... My first Transformation knocked me out for a few hours. I was actually unconscious during your party," Melina said.
"Oh, wow, gee, I'm sorry, Melina. I didn't know that. Sorry I was so horrible to you this morning," Hannah said quietly. Melina smiled.
"Don't worry about it, it's done with now. I forgive you," Melina said, hugging her friend.
"So what's this plan you and the other girls were talking about? I'm assuming that they're Senshi too," Hannah said. Just then, there was a rustling nearby, and Sunshine poked her head through the bushes.
"Oh, hey, Sunshine," Melina said.
"What's your cat doing here? She's not a Senshi, is she?" Hannah asked.
"No, but I am Melina's guardian, and I am watching over her," Sunshine said curtly. Hannah gasped and stared at Sunshine for a moment.
"She can talk?!?" Hannah exclaimed.
"Shhhhh! Not so loud, Hannah! We need to keep Sunshine's ability to talk and my Senshi form between the two of us, OK? No telling anyone, not even David, got it?" Melina asked. Hannah nodded slowly. Just then, the bell rang for the end of recess.
"Well, we'd better get back to class. I hope no-one's missed us," Melina said.
"I'm sure people would just assume that we were hiding from the youma," Hannah said.
"If anyone asks, I suggest that's what you tell them," Sunshine said. Hannah and Melina nodded, then climbed out of the bushes and headed back to class, where they found that Miss Kaiou was waiting for them.
"You're late, girls," she said.
"Sorry, but we were hiding from the youma that was in the courtyard," Hannah said. Miss Kaiou nodded understandingly as the girls took their seats. Several other students tried to sneak into the classroom and got caught. Five minutes after the bell, Miss Kaiou was still waiting by the door.
"What's wrong, Miss Kaiou?" one of the boys in the class asked.
"We're still waiting on David," Miss Kaiou said, tapping her foot. Melina and Hannah glanced at one another, wondering where David was. Ten minutes later, he still hadn't showed up, and Miss Kaiou left the room. The class waited in silence until they heard an announcement come over the speakers.
"Would David Kelson please return to your classroom immediately? David Kelson, return to your classroom immediately. Thank you." The classroom erupted in fierce whispers about David. Melina sat staring straight ahead, wondering where he had gone. David... where are you? she thought. Why aren't you here?
"You holding up OK, Usagi-chan?" Minako asked, putting her arm around Usagi and leading her outside after the lunch bell with Ami and Makoto following behind.
"Yeah, I'm OK," Usagi said quietly, putting her hand back into her pocket.
"Hi guys," Sora said as she joined them.
"Hi Sora," Usagi said in the same quiet voice. A sombre mood settled on the group as they walked out to the courtyard where Melina and Sunshine were waiting. Melina looked up from her communicator as the girls approached, then pressed the red button to contact Rei.
"Guys, I hate to say it, but I have a feeling there's more bad news. David's gone missing," Melina said grimly.
"What?!? When did this happen?" Minako asked.
"Sometime during recess, apparently. He was there during the fire drill, but he didn't show up at the end of recess," Melina said quietly.
"Do you think the Negaverse took him?" Makoto asked.
"I'm not sure, but it's definitely a possibility," Sunshine said. The other girls sat down, looking grim. After a while, Sora noticed that Usagi had taken out a small gold object.
"What's that, Usagi-chan?" Sora asked.
"It's my Star Locket from... From the Silver Millennium," Usagi said slowly.
"The Star Locket? That could be useful," Sunshine said.
"Why do you say that, Sunshine?" Melina asked.
"The Star Locket was a symbol of Selene and Endymion's love for one another. It supposedly had strong powers due to their love," Sunshine said.
"Wow... Where'd you find it, Usagi-chan?" Rei asked. Usagi stared blankly into the screen of Melina's communicator, then she blinked a few times and said,
"I found it on my pillow."
"Well, that's odd. Keep it safe, Usagi-chan, it might come in handy," Rei said. Usagi nodded and wiped her eyes, which had been filling with tears again.
"No, now isn't the time to be crying. I need to be strong. I need to be, otherwise Mamoru really is gone forever," Usagi murmured. She looked up at her friends, hope and determination blossoming in her eyes. "You're right, Rei-chan. Even if it means we have to fight him, we'll get Mamoru back. And I agree with you, Mel-chan. Let's go as soon as school finishes," Usagi said.
"Are you sure, Usagi-chan?" Ami asked. Usagi nodded.
"Well, you're our leader, Usagi-chan, so we'll follow you. Everyone, try not to do too much in the next classes, and make sure you drink lots of water. The last thing we need it dehydration. I'll see you a few minutes after school finishes, guys. Take care," Rei said, before the display went blank.
"Well, that's that. Everyone, I'm going to find a quiet corner so that I can try and pinpoint the Negaverse. I'll let you know if I find anything," Ami said, pulling out her Mercury Computer and wandering away. Just then, the bell rung for the end of lunch, and the other girls left for their classrooms, leaving Melina and Sunshine sitting alone together.
"Sunshine, when we leave this afternoon, I don't want you to come," Melina said.
"Melina, I am your Guardian, and I-"
"Walk with me, Sunshine," Melina said, getting up and beginning to walk slowly back to her classroom with Sunshine beside her. "I know you're my guardian, Sunshine, but we can't afford to take any more than we need to. I'm not saying I don't want you there – I do – but I don't want you to get hurt. I'd rather go out into the battle without you and know that you're safe than have you come along and be always worrying that you'll get hurt in some sneak attack."
"Melina..."
"You may not have had time to teach me much, but what you have taught me means a lot. I know that I am brave enough now to go and fight the Negaverse without worrying about what happens."
"Melina, I will stay behind if you promise me something."
"What's that, Sunshine?"
"Promise me you won't use the full power of the Bronze Crystal unless it's absolutely necessary."
"Sunshine..."
"Please, Melina, just promise me this one thing."
"OK, Sunshine. I promise that I won't use it unless I really, really need to."
"Thank-you, Melina. I'll have to go and find Luna and Artemis and tell them what's going on, but I'll try to come back before you guys leave."
"OK, Sunshine. Just in case I don't see you before we leave, I want you to know that you're an amazing friend, and I couldn't have gotten anywhere these last few days without your help."
"Melina..." Sunshine breathed, tears forming in her eyes. She quickly wiped them away with a furry paw. "You guys take care, alright?"
"We will. Take care of Luna and Artemis, OK? I know they probably won't be happy about this sudden decision, but it's what we want."
"I understand, Melina, and I'm sure that with time they will too."
"I'd better get back to class now. See you later, Sunshine."
"Goodbye, Melina."
"Hi guys! Did you find anything, Ami-chan?" Melina asked, walking up to the spot where Usagi, Ami, Minako and Makoto were waiting.
"I sure did. There's a huge amount of negative energy coming from the North Pole," Ami said.
"The North Pole?!? ...Well, I guess it suits their cold-hearted approach to things," Melina said, smiling.
"Where's Sunshine, Mel-chan?" Minako asked.
"She went to tell Luna and Artemis about our plan. I'm hoping she'll be back in time to see us off, but I don't know that she'll be able to," Melina replied.
"Hi guys! Rei-chan not here yet?" Sora asked, joining the others just then.
"Nope, she's still not here. But I'm sure she can't be far away, so we'll just have to wait for a few minutes," Makoto said.
"Hey, I can tell her off for being late for once, instead of her telling me off!" Usagi grinned. The others giggled at that.
"What's so funny, guys?" Rei asked, appearing at that moment.
"You're late, Rei-chan!" Usagi said.
"Well it's not my fault I go to a different school to you guys. I'm lucky I didn't get caught sneaking in or out of school. And besides, I'm not nearly as late as you usually are," Rei said, grinning.
"Rei-chan! You're mean!" Usagi wailed, still grinning. The others started giggling again at that. Their light-heartedness quickly faded to be replaced by the sombre mood from earlier.
"Well, I guess we should leave soon," Melina said quietly. The others nodded slowly as they looked around at their friends. Finally Sora broke the silence with,
"Maybe we should move to a more quiet area, so no-one sees-"
"Melina!" a cry cut her off, and the group turned to find Hannah running towards them.
"Hannah? What are you doing here? Did you miss the bus or something?" Melina asked.
"Yes, but not accidentally. I came to wish you guys good luck," Hannah said.
"Thanks Hannah, we'll do our best," Melina said, giving her friend a hug.
"I know you will, Melina. I know that you all will. Take care, guys," Hannah said, looking at the other girls.
"We will, don't worry," Makoto said.
"Well, I'll hopefully see you guys tomorrow, if everything goes well! Which I'm sure it will, 'cause you guys are awesome! Bye!" Hannah said, before waving and running towards the office.
"How does Hannah know about us?" Rei asked.
"She saw me transform earlier, and then she came looking for me and overheard us talking about our plan. Don't worry, I've already sworn her to secrecy," Melina said.
"Maybe we should move to a more quiet area, so no-one sees us leave," Sora repeated.
"Good idea, Sora. Let's go to the courtyard, that should be empty by now," Usagi said. The seven girls walked through the school looking around at everything, fully aware that this may be the last time they saw any of it. After grabbing a last-minute drink from the drink taps, the girls reached the courtyard.
"Well, I don't think we can afford to wait for Luna, Artemis and Sunshine any longer. Let's go, guys," Rei said.
"Yeah, you're right, Rei-chan. We can't waste time. Every minute we waste could be another twenty people that are attacked by a youma," Melina said. Ami, Rei, Makoto, Minako and Sora took out their transformation pens, while Usagi and Melina touched their brooches.
"Moon Prism Power!"
"Sun Prism Power!"
"Mercury Power!"
"Mars Power!"
"Jupiter Power!"
"Venus Power!"
"Orion Power!" The courtyard was filled with the Senshi's colours for a moment, before the seven of them stepped out of their globes of light and posed, looking determined. They stood in a circle and smiled at each other.
"No regrets, guys," Jupiter said, as she began to glow green.
"We're going to save everyone!" Orion said, glowing silvery-white.
"No matter what the cost," Mars said, glowing red.
"We can do it!" Venus said, glowing orange.
"For our friends!" Sailor Sun said, glowing with golden light.
"And for our family!" Mercury said, glowing blue.
"And most of all, for our universe!" Sailor Moon shouted, glowing bright pink.
"SAILOR TELEPORT!!" they chorused, before disappearing.
Author's Notes: Stay tuned!